Development of Biodegradable Textile Sizes from Soymeal: A Renewable and Cost-Effective Resource

Yi Zhao, Helan Xu, Yiqi Yang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Soymeal with high amount of solubles were used as raw materials of low-cost and biodegradable warp sizes, which have higher potential to replace non-biodegradable poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) for textile industry. Several protein-based materials have been studied to substitute non-biodegradable PVA sizes and remediate their environmental pollution. However, high cost and/or unsatisfied sizes properties make these protein-based sizes unattractive compared to PVA. In this research, soymeal extractant has been prepared as warp sizes and shown good sizes properties. Films elongation, adhesion, desizing efficiency and biodegradability of the developed soymeal-based sizes were higher than the sizes from physically modified soy protein isolates. Compared to the commercial PVA sizes, soymeal-based sizes showed higher adhesion and desizing efficiency but substantially lower chemical oxygen demand, indicating high potential of soymeal extractant for cleaner warp sizing. In addition, successful utilization of soymeal extractant in textile sizing will lead to value addition of agricultural byproducts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)349-358
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Polymers and the Environment
Volume25
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2017

Keywords

  • Biodegradable warp sizes
  • Effluents
  • Polyvinyl alcohol
  • Soymeal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Development of Biodegradable Textile Sizes from Soymeal: A Renewable and Cost-Effective Resource'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this